Their, They’re, There: Find out How and When to Use These Words

Some native English speakers don’t know how to use their, they’re and there correctly! That’s not to mention the millions of English speakers around the world who can get these words easily confused. Keep on reading for all the details you need to know about there, their, and they’re, along with some practice exercises.

They’re, There, Their

These words are homophones which means that they sound the same when you say them. However, the way that they’re used in English is quite distinct. The good news is that there are some easy rules to follow for their, they’re and there.

Their: Meaning, Usages, and Examples

A possessive, meaning belonging to them.

Examples: 

• It’s their game. You can’t just play without asking them.
• Where’s their mom or dad? They are being really rough.
• The kids forgot their Nintendo Switch for the car ride and were really upset.

They’re: Meaning, Usages, and Examples

A contraction (short form) of “they are.”

Tips: Use “they’re” if you can replace it with “they are” in a sentence. Found at the beginning of a sentence.

Speaking Tip: Never say “they are.” Always use the contraction “they’re.”

Examples: 

• They’re going to be late.
• They’re graduating next year.
• You didn’t know? They’re my adopted brothers.

There: Meaning, Usages, and Examples

An adverb that means in, or that place. Related to location.

Examples: 

• Can you put that there please?
• Isn’t that Keith over there? Do you see him?
• Let’s go over there. I want to take a look at that picture.

They’re/Their/There Practice

1. What’s that over _____?
2. _____ going to trade in _____ comic books for new ones this weekend.
3. Are those _____ jackets over _____?
4. _____ going to get some ice cream at that shop right _____.
5. She’s over _____, waiting for her dad to pick her up.
6. It’s _____ problem. I don’t want to help them with it again.

Answers for Their vs They’re vs There

1. there
2. they’re, their
3. their, there
4. they’re, there
5. there
6. their

Extra Practice for the Differences Between There, They’re and Their

Work together with a study partner. Read the information about their/they’re/there and do the practice section. Then, each of you can come up with five new sentences using these words. Read them to each other, one-by-one. Guess which word is used (their/they’re/there). Use context clues to help you decide (the other words in the sentence).

More Confusing Words in English

Need some more help with words pairs and other confusing English words? Here are some other resources to check out:

access vs. excess 

advice vs. advise 

pour vs pore vs poor 

effect vs. affect 

FAQs about Their/There/They’re

There are a number of common questions that people have about this topic. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

What does “their” mean?

“Their” is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership by more than one person or group. For example, “Their house is beautiful.”

How is “they’re” different from “their”?

“They’re” is a contraction of “they are.” It’s used to combine the words “they” and “are” in a sentence. For example, “They’re going to the park.”

Can you give an example of using “they’re” in a sentence?

“They’re excited about the upcoming holiday.”

When should I use “there” in a sentence?

“There” is used to indicate a location, existence, or a point being discussed. For example, “The keys are over there.”

What’s an example of using “there” to indicate existence?

“There is a book on the shelf.”

How do I use “their” correctly in a sentence?

Use “their” when showing that something belongs to a group of people. For instance, “Their dog is friendly.”

Could you provide an example of using “there” to show location?

“The store is right there, across the street.”

Is “they’re” the same as “their” in meaning?

No, “they’re” is a contraction for “they are,” while “their” indicates possession. They have different meanings and uses.

What’s a simple way to remember the difference between “their,” “they’re,” and “there”?

Think of “their” as belonging to a group, “they’re” as a shortened “they are,” and “there” as indicating a location.

Can you create a sentence using all three: “their,” “they’re,” and “there”?

“They’re going to their favorite restaurant, and it’s right over there.”

Want to Find Out More?

You can find hundreds of confusing English words and word pairs in this book: Most Confusing Words in English Explained. Pick up a copy and ace your next TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam! Find out everything you need to know about it right here:

Join the Conversation

Do you have any tips or tricks for remembering how and when to use these words? Leave a comment below and let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API